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Multiple Choice
How many total electrons are present in a Fe^{2+} ion?
A
28
B
24
C
22
D
26
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of iron (Fe), which represents the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, also the number of electrons. For Fe, the atomic number is 26.
Understand that the Fe^{2+} ion has lost 2 electrons compared to the neutral Fe atom because of the 2+ charge.
Calculate the number of electrons in Fe^{2+} by subtracting 2 from the atomic number: $26 - 2$.
Write the expression for the total electrons in Fe^{2+} as $26 - 2 = 24$ electrons.
Conclude that the Fe^{2+} ion contains 24 electrons in total.